Closure



Dec. 24, 1940. G; T. JACOCKS 2,226,495

Filed April 22, 1959 Sheets-Sheet l 57 Y ME I a 6 15 E 1:/ AI 4Z Vll 14' 74 mum G. T. JAcocKs Y 2,226,495

CLOSURE Filed April 22, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 l d 'nl I I' 107@ 103 meal INVENTOR Gen/jg@ Z Jamey/as BY m/ ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 24, 1940 CLSURE George T. Jacocks, Larchmont, N. Y., assignor to The Lummus Company, New York, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Application April 22, 1939, Serial No. 269,459

6 Claims.

The present invention pertains to closures for high-pressure vessels, and is particularly concerned with improving the efficiency of the sealing means and the means for retaining the closure member or head of such a vessel.

lIn a tubular container or pressure vessel in which the gross load on the closure member is great because of the high pressure and large area, a serious problem arises in connection with l the necessary use of threaded bolts for holding the closure member or head and for applying suitable sealing pressure to the gasket. It is extremely difficult to provide sufficient bolts of adequate capacity which will flt within the rel quired circumferential limits. If the same set of bolts is used for both purposes, their irregular thermal expansion in use will impair the gasket seal. Proper division of the stress on the circumferentially disposed bolts or other threaded head-retaining means is another phase of the general problem. Furthermore, to reduce equipment cost, the closure should be within the inner diameter of the vessel and the means for applying pressure to the head and gasket must also lie within the inner diameter of the tubular member.

Therefore, the object of this invention is to meet the problem which'has been outlined.

More Specifically stated, ,the object of the invention is to provide satisfactory means for retaining the removable head of a high-pressure vessel such as a heat exchanger and for maintaining the gasket seal thereof under all condiltions of use.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a pressure head construction having closure parts which are unusual in their compactness, strength, simplicity, ease of assembly, and economy of manufacture and maintenance.

Another and more specific object of the invention is to provide an improved closure for a vessel in which the gasket is individually sealed under a known deflection pressure and the closure is separately held with a known resistance for the desired loading, such -device being of especial value in high pressure constructions.

The foregoing and other novel features and advantages of the invention will be better understood and appreciated from reading the following detailed description of preferred forms of embodiment thereof in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. l is a partial longitudinal section of a pressure vessel and head taken on line I-I of Fig. 2;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the vessel and head therefor;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a modified form of retaining element;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary longitudinal section 5 of vessel and head illustrating the use of the modified form of retaining element;

Fig. 5 represents the parts of the Fig, 4 modification in different relative positions; and

Fig. 6 showsv a further modification in fragl0 mentary longitudinal section.

Fig. 7 is a partial plan view, with parts broken away to show the internal structure, of a still further modified form of construction,and,

Fig. 8 is a vertical section of the structure l5 shown in Fig. 7, and taken along the line 8-8 thereof.

As shown in Fig, 1, a vessel or cylindrical shell Ill has integrally secured thereto an extension sleeve I2 of somewhat greater external diameter 20 and thickness. Other elements of the assembly are a dome pressure head or cover member I4 which closes the open end of the vessel I0, an intermediate circular ring I6, and a circular retaining or bull ring I8. 25

The bull ring I8 is provided on its outer circumferentia-l face with a deep narrow shoulder 20 which engages an inwardly extending thrust shoulder 2| at the outer end of the sleeve I2. In order to facilitate assembly, the ring I8 may 30 be divided into a plurality of segments by the parallel cuts 22, 24 and 26, 28, best illustrated in Fig. 2. A series of headed stud bolts 30 are uniformly spaced circumferentially of the bull ring I8, and are threaded therethrough so that 35 their bearing ends will engage the underlying intermediate ring I 6L Each of the cuts 22, 24, 26, 28 is spanned by one of the bolts 30, one half of the threaded opening therefor being on each side of the cut.

An inspection of Fig. 1 will show that the intermediate ring I6 engages the head I4 throughout a flat circumferential shoulder 32 at the outer margin of the top of said head. The lower marginal portion of the cover or head I4 45 is in continuous, closing engagement with shoulder 34, also extending inwardly of the extension sleeve I2.

Means for providing a fluid-tight seal are shown in Fig. 1. Such means comprises a curved, 50 circular sealing ring or gasket 36. The ring 36 is of concave cross-section and of uniform thickness, with its concave face turned downwardly and its inner and outer edges resting upon substantially coplanar shoulders 38 and 40 55 in the upper surface of the head |-4 and the inner face of the sleeve I2, respectively.

An additional circular ring 42 of rectangular cross-section rests loosely upon the upper convex face of the gasket ring 36 and serves as a bearing member between it and the lower ends of a second series of bolts 44, by which pressure is carried to said gasket ring. Referring still to Fig. 1, it will be seen that the bolts 44 are headed at their outer ends and are threaded through the bull ring I8 on a circumference which is outward with respect to the centers of bolts 30. The bolts 44 are preferably uniformly spaced intermediate the inner row of bolts 30. Note is also taken that the depending ends of the bolts 44 extend loosely through aligned holes 46 drilled through the intermediate thrust ring I6 and into engagement with the bearing ring 42.

Certain other signicant details of construction will now be described briefly in relation to the principal elements of the closure combination. The intermediate ring I6 conveniently has the same outer diameter as the overlying bull ring |8 and is also conveniently divided for assembly purposes into the same number of segments by the parallel pairs of cross-sectional cuts 48, 50 and 52, 54. A lower shoulder 56 of the same width as thrust shoulder 2| also extends inwardly of the sleeve I2, the portion thereof between the two shoulders being cylindrical to receive the outermost lateral faces of the rings I6 and I8. The shoulder 56 lies in the same plane as the circumferential shoulder 32 of the head member I4 when the latter is in engagement with the lowermost shoulder 34 of the sleeve I2; together they receive the downward pressure of the bolts 30 and prevent tipping of the intermediate ring I6.

Immediately below the ring I6, an annular recess 58 is provided between the sleeve I2 and the head I4 for receiving the bearing ring 42 and the gasket ring 36.' The recess 58 is tapered at the bottom (as seen in Fig. 1) by reason of the inclined surface of the sleeve I2 just above its shoulder 40 and an opposed inclined lateral surface on the cover I4 above the continuous horizontal shoulder 38.

With respect to the materials to be used for the diierent members of the closure combination, it will be appreciated by those versed in the art that suitably treated steel or alloy steel preferably will be employed throughout. Pressures of the order of 500 pounds per square inch and upward are contemplated for the vessel I0. The maximum pressure and the nature of the fluid medium in the vessel dictate the`selection of materials and proportions.

Further details of the operation of this invention will be brought out in the following explanation of the way in which the principal ernbodiment is assembled. The cover I4 is inserted within the sleeve I2 until it stops in face-to-face engagement with the shoulder 34. Next the gasket 36 and its bearing ring 42 are placed within the recess 58 in the order enumerated. The intermediate. thrust ring I6 and the bull ring I8 will then be placed in operative position over the head I4 and within the sleeve extension I2. It will be plainly seen that the direction of the parallel slots in the respective rings, I6 and I8, will determine the order of assembly of their segments (see Fig. 2).

Preliminarily, the intermediate ring I6 will rest in loose engagement with the flat continuous shoulder 32 on the top of head I4 and the shoulder 56 of the sleeve I2. After the cover bolts 30, 30 are threaded into the bull ring I8 in the manner which has been described, they will be tightened lup uniformly so as to tightly engage the intermediate ring I6 with the top of cover I4 and the bottom of cover I4 with the shoulder 34. Consequently, the shoulder or flange 2U of the upper or bull ring I8 will be elevated against the inwardly extending thrust shoulder 2| of the sleeve I2 as the bolts 30 separate it from the intermediate ring I6. The closure structure is thus conditioned to resist the upward thrust of the pressure fluid within the vessel I0.

A fluid-tight seal requires the co-operation of the gasket 36. of bolts 44, which act on the bearing ring 42, the gasket ring Will be forced to the converging bottom of the annular recess 58 and will be sealed at its edges with great pressure by the flattening action thereon, an action like that of a toggle mechanism. The t between the sleeve I2 and head I4 will be such as to accommodate expansion of the latter in response to the heat of the pressure fluid.

By these means the upward thrust on the closure I4 is taken entirely by the head bolts 30 and the gasket is held entirely by bolts 44. The thrust shoulder 34 of the sleeve I2 is of suiicient depth to withstand the combined shearing forces due to the bolt pressure and the gasket ring sealing reaction.

In the modification of this invention shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 5, a uniformly spaced, circumferential set of detachable lugs 63 takes the whole pressure load which is carried by the thrust shoulder 2| in the principal form. Only a discussion of differences will be required for an understanding of the modications comprehended by this invention. The lugs 63 each comprises a cylindrical portion 64 and an integral rectangular block portion 65 which have eccentrically disposed axes. Near its upper edge, the extension sleeve 'I4 is provided with a uniformly spaced circumferential series of'circular openings 61, one of which is shown in Figs. 4 and 5. These openings or holes loosely receive the cylindrical portions 64 of the lugs 63, the portions 64 preferably being of the same approximate length as the openings 61 which extend through the sleeve 14.

The eccentric arrangement of cylindrical portion 64 and rectangular portion 65 provides an engagement with the interior of sleeve 'I4 (see Fig. 4) which resists bending of the lugs 63 or any tendency thereof to be pulled inward.

Also the pivot joint between cylindrical portion 64 and sleeve 14 permits the rectangular block portions of 65 of the lugs 63 to shift with bull ring so as to remain in full face-to-face engagement. It is unnecessary to use a shoulder such as 20 on the bull ring of this modified construction.

In Fig. 5 the bolts 44 have been turned down so as to compress gasket ring 36 and produce a fluid-tight seal.

There has been a slight rearrangement of parts in the further modification of Fig. 6. The intermediate ring (I6) has been eliminated and a bull ring 8| provided next to a head 82. For this reason, it is possible to eliminate the flat shoulder (32) on the top of the head. As shown, the bolts 30 and 44 directly engage the head 82a'nd bearing ring 42, respectively. A short distance below its upper or outer edge, the sleeve 83 is By tightening the separate series provided on its inside with an annular channel 75 of rectangular cross section to receive a segmental, circular ring 12 of appreciably greater thickness than the depth of the channel and lof somewhat lesser height than the width thereof. As seen in Fig. 6, the lower inner corner .of the thrust ring 12 mates vwith a rectangular shoulder st'and their working loads.

In accordance with another modification of my invention, more particularly shown in Figures '1 and 8, I havevprovided a detachable cover which `is suitably keyed to the shell or vessel. Such key construction permits quick detachability and assures a solid and secure structure when in place. Y

More specifically, the vessel or shell may be represented by the member |00 which is to be sealed by a closure member 1 |02, which extends across the opening. For purpose ot' illustration, this closure member |02 is intended to be cylindrical and is provided with shoulders |02a, which rest on shoulders |0001, formed in the shell wall.

The space between the side wall of the closure |02 and the shell wall |00 is'to be sealed by a gasket |00. Such gasket is normally compressed by bolts |05 which engage the top of a ring |06 which ring is preferably rectangular in cross section and relatively deep as compared with its width. This assures a. continuity of' contact on the gasket |04, as the ring |06 acts as an effective beam between the bolts |05.

. Bolts |05 are preferably screw threaded in a bull ring |01 which is held within the inner diameter o f the shell |00 by a plurality of keys |00 as shown in Figure 7. These keys |08 are conveniently of a segmentaltype with a substantial portion being inserted into the shell wall and with the greatest extent place inshear as along the line |00. These keys are also suitably provided with slots |||l which co-oper'ate withl a second series of bolts ||2 which bolts directly contact with the lclosure |02.

Under normal operations after the closure |02 has been put in place and the gasket |04 inserted in the channel-between the closure and the shell wall, the ring |00 is put in place. Thereafter the hull ring |01 is inserted; such bull ring being .provided with shoulders |010. which engage the center portion |0217 projecting from theclosure l|02. The bull ring centers the closure |02.

Ordinarily, the keys |00 are carried by the` bolts ||2 canbe tightened rmlyholding ciosure |02 in place. When so located the lock nuts H0 can be screwed tight to prevent withiirawal of the keys |08. The bolts |05 are then inserted through the openings in thezkeys and .into the proper threaded portion of the bull ring |01 and the gasket |04 is made tight.

It will be appreciated that the bolts ||2 are ment of the closure |02. The load is directly carried by the continuous bull ring |01 and the keys |08 and there is no tendency of the bull ring |01 to cant as it .engages the vertically projected boss() on the closure |02. It .will also be apparent that`the bolts |05 will positively expand the gasket |04 into sealing position and there can be no confusion as to partial loading bf separate elements. Such structure is especially suitable for extremely high pressure constructions and where dangerous gases are to be conned.

While I have shown and described a preferred form of embodiment of my invention, I am aware that modifications-may be made thereto and I therefore desire a broad interpretation of my invention, within the scope and spirit of the description herein, and of the claims appended hereinafter.

I claim:

l. A pressure vessel having an `opening therein, a cover for said opening, said cover being vof smaller diameter than said opening and adapted to fit therein, said vessel having a cover support adjacent said opening, against which said Acover is adapted to rest, a gasket to seal said cover with' respect to the vessel adjacent said opening, means to fasten said cover with respect to said support, said fastening means including a multiple segment member surmounting said cover and having key portions extending radially into the wall of said opening and resisting outward movement of the cover by shear, members adjustably carried by said multiple segment member and reacting with said cover whereby on adjustment thereof the cover may be fastened in the desired position, andy supplemental adjustable means carried by said fastening means and independently forcing said gasket into a sealing relation.

2. A pressure vessel having an opening in the wall thereof, which opening is substantially circular, the walls surrounding said openings having a plurality of stepped shoulders formed by axially extending portions of decreasing diameter extending inwardly 'along the wall, a cover for said opening of smaller diameter than one of the portions of the vessel wall and adapted to rest on the shoulder formed by the edge of the adjacent portion, said cover having a peripheral shoulder on the outer side thereof, said cover shoulder and an adjacent wall shoulder forming an annular recess, an annulangasket in said recess engaging the shoulder on said cover and the adjacent shoulder on the wall, and detachable retaining means for said cover and said gasket, said retaining means including segmental portions having an effective diameter greater than the minimum diamete of the vessel opening and being in shear relation with an internal shoulder on the wall adjacent the opening, adjustable members extending through said retaining means, certain of said adjustable mem-fbers engaging said cover and holding said cover against its supporting shoulder, and other of said adjustable members exclusively forcing said gasket into sealing position.

3. A pressure vessel having a substantially cirprimarily for the purpose of restraining movec fitting within said shoulder with one edge en- 75 gaging the vessel adjacent the opening, means to fasten said cover with respect to said supe porting means, said fastening means including a plurality of detachable members secured to the vessel around the periphery of the opening, said fastening means having a shear connection with the vessel, adjustable members carried by said detachable members and reacting with said cover whereby on adjustment` thereof the cover may be fastened in a desired position, and separate adjustable members also carried by the detachable members reacting through said vessel and tending to reduce the arcuity of the gasket for independent sealing relation thereof.

4. A pressure vessel as claimed in claim 2 in which the gasket is of relatively thinmetal of arcuate cross section, and a separate load distributing bar is interposed between said gasket and said gasket sealing members whereby afV uniform sealing load is interposed at and between tbe contacting points.

5. A pressure vessel as claimed in claim 2 in which the retaining means includes a plurality of keys having spaced radial sides and internal slots, said slots surroundingcertain of the adjustable members whereby said keys may be drawn radially inward to free the cover from the vessel Wall, said keys and the adjustable members surrounded by the slots being removable as a unit with the retaining means.

6. A pressure vessel having an opening in the wall thereof, which opening is substantially circular, the walls surrounding said opening having a plurality of stepped shoulders formed by axially extending portions of diierent diameter, a cover for said opening of smaller diameter 'than one of the portions of the vessel wall and adapted to rest on the shoulder formed by the edge of an adjacent portion, said cover having a peripheral shoulder on the outer side, said cover shoulder and an adjacent Wall shoulder forming an annular recess, an annular metallic gasket of arcuate cross section within said recess with its edges engaging the cover and the vessel Wall,

a load distributing bar mounted on said gacket, and retaining means for said cover and said gasket, said retaining means including a continuous ring surmounting said cover and said vessel wall and removed as a unit with the-ad justable members which are surrounded by the slots and the continuous ring.

GEORGE T. JACOCKS. 

